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There is a need for researchers to have easy reference to the wide spectrum of different types of quality of life (QoL) instruments that can be used in atopic dermatitis ( AD). Previous reviews on QoL in AD do not cover the full spectrum of QoL measures used in studies on AD. This study, on behalf of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ( EADV) Task Force on QoL, contains information on instruments available for health-related QoL and family QoL assessment in AD including information on validation, experience of QoL assessment in AD for different purposes, peculiarities of QoL assessment in different age groups, expert analysis of available instruments including data on limitations of their use and recommendations of the Task Force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic eczema (AE) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurrent intense pruritus and a typical age-related distribution of skin lesions. Several new aspects with regard to the pathogenetic background as well as strategies for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of AE have emerged. There are ongoing studies on genetic susceptibility loci, as well as environmental and nutritional factors associated with an increase or a decrease of AE lesions. The atopy patch test is now available for identification of allergens in aeroallergen-triggered AE. New topical therapies, such as the calcineurin inhibitors, have broadened the therapeutic armamentarium substantially. In order to increase knowledge and coping strategies, patient education programs have been launched. Learning objective Upon completing this paper, the reader should be aware of new developments in AE, especially on nomenclature, prevention strategies, diagnostic tests, as well as therapeutic options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents author's views on occupational skin disease as a major health issue in Europe including allergic and irritative-toxic contact dermatitis. Topics discussed include enhancement in cases of skin diseases due to exposure to UV radiation; impact of socioeconomic costs; and non melanoma skin cancer.

Background: There are few population‐based studies assessing the prevalence of skin diseases. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of five chronic skin inflammatory diseases, i.e. atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, alopecia areata (AA), vitiligo and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in France, using validated self‐diagnostic questionnaires. Methods: Population‐based study using a representative sample of the French general population aged more than 15 years and sampling with replacement design. All participants were asked (ii) to fill in a specific questionnaire including socio‐demographic characteristics, (ii) to declare if they have been diagnosed with one or more skin problem or skin diseases during their life, and (iii) to fill in five validated self‐reported questionnaires for AD, psoriasis, AA, vitiligo and HS. Results: A total of 20.012 adult participants responded to the questionnaire of whom 9760 were men (48.8%) and 10.252 (51.2%) were women. We identified a prevalence of 4.65% for AD (931 individuals), 4.42% for psoriasis (885 individuals), 1.04% for AA (210 individuals), 0.46% for vitiligo (93 individuals) and 0.15% for HS (29 individuals), respectively. Limitations: Questionnaire‐based study and possible disease misclassifications. Conclusion: This is the largest population‐based study aiming to estimate the prevalence of five chronic skin inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CsU) is a frequent dermatological disease that might last for months or years with high impact on quality of life. Known causes are autoreactive phenomena, infections or intolerances, rarely IgE-mediated allergies. One-third of CsU patients benefit from a low-pseudoallergen diet. Additionally, it is often discussed, that reducing histamine ingestion alone might improve clinical symptoms and quality of life in CsU patients despite the uncertain role of the histamine-degrading enzyme diamine oxidase ( DAO). Objective Aim of this study was to investigate the impact of low-histamine diet on symptoms and quality of life in patients with CsU. Methods Patients suffering from CsU accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms were included in the study. They underwent low-histamine diet for at least 3 weeks. During the whole study, urticaria activity score ( UAS) was recorded daily in a patient′s diary. Quality of life was assessed during screening, baseline and post diet visits by completing questionnaires ( DLQI and Cu-Q(2) oL). DAO activity was measured before and after elimination diet. Results A total of 75% of the patients had a benefit from the low-histamine diet. Thirty-four of 56 patients (61%) reached the primary endpoint of the study, an improvement of UAS 4 of ≥3. Overall, a significant reduction from 9.05 to 4.23 points ( P = 0.004) was achieved; the average reduction in a strongly affected subgroup was 8.59 points ( P < 0.001). DAO activity remained stable. Conclusion Low-histamine diet is a therapeutically useful, simple and cost-free tool to decrease symptoms and increase quality of life in CsU patients with gastrointestinal involvement. Further research is needed to understand the role of diamine oxidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis are chronic skin conditions. Local or systemic treatments are effective, but their effects are transient. Hydrotherapy, used alone or in combination with other treatments, could be considered as one form of care in providing effective management of these dermatoses. The objective of this observational study was to evaluate the benefit of a 3-week treatment at Avène Hydrotherapy Centre in a very large cohort of patients suffering from atopic dermatitis and psoriasis and to assess the treatment benefits on patients undergoing hydrotherapy for two consecutive years. This 8-year observational study analysed 14 328 records of patients having a dermatological disease and who came to Avène Hydrotherapy Centre for a 3-week treatment between 2001 and 2009. Among them, patients were suffering from atopic dermatitis ( n = 5916) and psoriasis ( n = 4887). On admission on D0 (day 0) and at the end of cure on D18 (day 18), the severity of AD and psoriasis were evaluated by SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), respectively. In order to assess the cumulative effect of the hydrotherapy treatment, the evolution of SCORAD or PASI of patients who came 2 years in a row was also calculated. A significant improvement in SCORAD was observed between D0 and D18 (−41.6%) ( P < 0.0001) and similarly, a significant reduction in PASI was noted between D0 and D18 (−54.4%) ( P < 0.0001) after 3-weeks of hydrotherapy. PASI 50 and PASI 75 were 64.3% and 19.5%, respectively. For atopic patients ( n = 1102) or patients suffering from psoriasis ( n = 833) who came for two consecutive years, a significant SCORAD and PASI improvement was observed on D0 of the second year when compared with D0 of the previous year ( P < 0.0001). This study is the first observational study in such a large cohort demonstrating the benefit of a 3-week treatment at the Avène Hydrotherapy Centre for atopic and psoriatic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent, painful, deep-seated, rounded nodules and abscesses of apocrine gland-bearing skin. Subsequent suppuration, sinus tracts and hypertrophic scarring are its main features. Onset is usually after puberty, although it is most common during the third decade and may persist in old age. The disease tends to be chronic and may develop to subcutaneous extension leading to indurations, sinus, and fistula having a profound impact on the quality of life. The prevalence is 1% in several studies. Axillary and inguinal involvement is more common in females; peri-anal and buttocks localizations are prevalent in males. The exact aetiology remains unknown. The primary event is a follicular occlusion with secondary inflammation, infection and destruction of the pilo-sebaceo-apocrine apparatus and extension to the adjacent sub-cutaneous tissue. Infection is common. Smoking may be a triggering factor. Obesity aggravates the discomfort. Differential diagnostic includes Crohn's disease, nodular acne and furonculosis. The main complications are arthropathy, carcinoma. Treatment depends upon the stage of the disease. Early nodular lesions may be treated by antibiotics for acute stage; long-term antibiotics, zinc salts may be useful as maintenance treatment; anti-TNF drugs have been used in severe cases; systemic steroids, estrogens, anti-androgens, retinoids have been used as options with limited success. Surgical treatment includes incision with or without drainage for limited abscesses; limited excisions are used for locally recurring draining sinuses. Total wide excision and healing with secondary intention or flaps and grafts is the only curative procedure in case of advanced disease. Conflicts of interest None declared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on occupational dermatitis. Despite continuous improvement of techniques for the evaluation of the allergenic potential of a substance before it is introduced in the market, despite strict legislative regulations where and how to use a dangerous substance and despite refined surveillance methods, the number of literature reports on newly observed contact allergens is still high. New allergens and new areas of employment demand the continuous search for possibilities of exposure. Cosmetics, originally designed to adorn the body, are now an integral part of skin care, impacting both the treatment of skin disease and the maintenance of skin physiology.

Dermatitis artefacta is a rare and difficult condition for diagnosis and treatment, with the highest incidence of onset in late adolescence to early adult life. Most patients are young women who have a personality disorder; borderline features are common and the patient's denial of psychological distress makes management and treatment difficult. Patients use a variety of means to cause the skin changes. Clinical presentation of the skin lesions does not conform to those of known dermatoses and are located on easily reached parts of the skin. We report an unusual case of a 72-year-old woman with symmetrical changes under the breasts and in the right inguinal region. The lesions were composed partly of haemorrhagic round lesions and partly of scars. A skin biopsy was taken and consultations with the psychiatrist, internist and the patient's family led to the diagnosis of self-induced dermatitis. The skin lesions were covered by occlusion techniques and the lesions improved very rapidly. The patient was discharged from the hospital under psychiatric and family care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information on the forthcoming events to be held in Europe related to dermatology and venereology. Some of the forthcoming events to be held are 4th Congress of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD), 16th Continuing Medical Education Course for Practical Dermatology and Venereology, Joint Meeting: 5th Eurupean Congress on Psoriasis and 7th International Psoriasis Symposium, IUVDT European Congress on STDs and Genital Dermatology, 80th Annual Meeting of the Swiss Society of Dermatology and Venereology.

The author reflects on the significance of water not only as a source of life but an important therapeutic tool in the management of patients suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases before the availability of specific drugs. An overview of a thermal spring water from Avène adapted to treat atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. The author states that some insights are gained on the explanation of the therapeutic effect of the thermal spring water.

The article presents abstracts on dermatology topics which include airborne allergic contact dermatitis, Pediatric dermatology and new diagnostic techniques used by dermatologists.

The article presents abstracts on skin diseases which include alternative antibiotic treatment of acne and rosacea with roxithromycin, cytometry in the assessment of antimicrobials and quo vadis as an antibiotic in the treatment of acne.